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Leviticus 21:10

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¶ And [he that is] the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;

And he that is the high {H1419} priest {H3548} among his brethren {H251}, upon whose head {H7218} the anointing {H4888} oil {H8081} was poured {H3332}, and that is consecrated {H4390}{H3027} to put {H3847} on the garments {H899}, shall not uncover {H6544} his head {H7218}, nor rend {H6533} his clothes {H899};

"'The cohen who is ranked highest among his brothers, the one on whose head the anointing oil is poured and who is consecrated to put on the garments, is not to stop grooming his hair, tear his clothes,

The priest who is highest among his brothers, who has had the anointing oil poured on his head and has been ordained to wear the priestly garments, must not let his hair hang loose or tear his garments.

And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil is poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not let the hair of his head go loose, nor rend his clothes;

Commentary

Leviticus 21:10 outlines specific regulations for the High Priest, emphasizing his unique status and the profound holiness required of his office. This verse details two key prohibitions related to his appearance and conduct, particularly in times of mourning or personal distress, setting him apart even from other priests.

Context

Chapter 21 of Leviticus sets forth the laws concerning the holiness of the priests. While general priests had strict rules, the High Priest, as the chief mediator between God and Israel, was held to an even higher standard. His role was paramount in the religious life of the nation, especially on the Day of Atonement. The regulations here underscore the importance of his absolute dedication to God, free from defilement and personal distractions that might compromise his sacred duties. The High Priest was not merely a man but a living symbol of God's presence and purity among His people, representing them before the Almighty.

Key Themes

  • Unparalleled Sanctity and Separation: The High Priest was consecrated above all others. His life, even his emotional expression, was to reflect his singular devotion to God and his role as the nation's representative.
  • Divine Appointment and Consecration: The verse highlights the significance of the "anointing oil" poured upon his head and his special "garments." These were not mere rituals but visible signs of his divine calling and the spiritual endowment for his office, as described in Exodus 29:7.
  • Emotional Restraint in Ministry: The prohibitions against uncovering his head (often a sign of mourning or disgrace) and rending his clothes (a common gesture of extreme grief) demonstrate that the High Priest's public persona and ministerial duties superseded personal sorrow. He could not appear defiled or diminished by human tragedy, for his office was for the spiritual well-being of the entire nation.
  • Symbol of Purity and Continuity: By maintaining his composure and consecrated appearance, the High Priest symbolized the unbroken covenant and God's enduring holiness, even in the face of death or calamity.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Anointing oil" (shemen mishchah): This sacred oil was specifically prepared for consecration, signifying divine appointment, spiritual endowment, and setting apart for holy service. It was a physical manifestation of God's blessing and presence upon the High Priest.
  • "Consecrated to put on the garments": The elaborate priestly garments were not just attire but part of the consecration process, designed for "glory and for beauty" (Exodus 28:2) and integral to his functions.
  • "Shall not uncover his head": This action could imply removing the turban or letting his hair loose, a sign of mourning, degradation, or unkemptness that would be unfitting for his holy office.
  • "Nor rend his clothes" (kara' begadim): Tearing one's clothes was a deep expression of grief, horror, or despair in ancient Near Eastern cultures. For the High Priest, such a public display would contradict the solemn dignity and unwavering sanctity required of his role.

Practical Application and Reflection

While these specific regulations applied to the Levitical High Priest under the Old Covenant, the principles behind them offer timeless insights. They underscore the immense responsibility and high standards expected of those in spiritual leadership, particularly in their dedication to God's service above personal concerns.

Ultimately, these limitations on the earthly High Priest point to Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest. Unlike the Levitical priests, who were subject to human frailties and death, Jesus is a perfect, eternal High Priest who needed no anointing oil or special garments, for He was consecrated by God Himself and His own sinless nature. He perfectly fulfills the role, entering into God's presence on our behalf, not with animal sacrifices, but with His own blood, providing ultimate atonement for sin. He perfectly embodies the sanctity and unwavering commitment to God's will, never needing to mourn or rend His clothes for His own imperfections, for He had none.

For believers today, this verse serves as a reminder of the seriousness of spiritual calling and the importance of maintaining integrity and focus in serving God, recognizing the ultimate example set by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 10:6 (11 votes)

    And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled.

  • Leviticus 10:7 (11 votes)

    And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the LORD [is] upon you. And they did according to the word of Moses.

  • Leviticus 16:32 (9 votes)

    And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest's office in his father's stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, [even] the holy garments:

  • Matthew 26:65 (7 votes)

    Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

  • Numbers 35:25 (4 votes)

    And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.

  • Leviticus 8:12 (4 votes)

    And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.

  • Exodus 29:29 (4 votes)

    And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons' after him, to be anointed therein, and to be consecrated in them.